Three-Wheeler Retail Sales Hit Record August At 1.22 Lakh Units: FADA

Three-wheeler retail sales increased 8.64 percent year on year to 1,22,281 units in August 2026, marking the segment's best-ever August, according to FADA. Retail volumes were down 8.59 percent from July's 1,33,778 units, while August 2025 sales stood at 1,12,553 units.

The segment's growth was driven by rural markets, which recorded a 23.95 percent YoY increase, while urban three-wheeler retail declined 6.95 percent. Both markets recorded sequential declines, with rural volumes down 8.20 percent and urban volumes down 9.12 percent.

The three-wheeler market comprised passenger, goods and personal-use vehicles, as well as electric rickshaw categories. FADA's August data showed divergent performance across these sub-segments.

Passenger And Goods Three-Wheeler Retail

Three-wheeler passenger vehicles accounted for 72,657 units in August, up 23.11 percent from 59,017 units a year earlier. Three-wheeler goods vehicles recorded 14,614 units, an increase of 42.76 percent over August 2025. Personal three-wheelers remained a small category at 165 units, although volumes were 28.91 percent higher year on year.

Electric rickshaws for passenger use recorded 28,816 units, down 22.03 percent YoY from 36,957 units. Electric rickshaws with carts recorded 6,029 units, down 2.98 percent from 6,214 units a year earlier.

Electric Vehicles Account For 65.30% Of Three-Wheeler Retail

Electric vehicles accounted for 65.30 percent of three-wheeler retail in August, compared with 65.07 percent in July and 56.63 percent in August 2025. CNG/LPG vehicles held a 21.50 percent share, while diesel accounted for 12.89 percent. Petrol/ethanol represented 0.31 percent.

FADA described the segment as structurally electric in its August assessment, with EV penetration continuing to remain above 65 percent.

Bajaj Auto Retains Lead In Three-Wheelers

Bajaj Auto remained the largest three-wheeler OEM in August with 42,605 units and a 34.84 percent market share. Its share was down from 38.87 percent in August 2025, when it retailed 43,744 units.

Mahindra & Mahindra recorded 13,381 units and a 10.94 percent share, while Mahindra Last Mile Mobility recorded 13,367 units and a 10.93 percent share. Piaggio Vehicles followed with 8,426 units and a 6.89 percent share, while TVS Motor Company had 7,139 units and a 5.84 percent share.

September Outlook

FADA expects three-wheeler demand to benefit from the broader festive period, although the association noted that rural demand remains exposed to rainfall conditions. For the overall auto retail market, 67.09 percent of surveyed dealers expected growth in September, with 27.35 percent expecting flat conditions and 5.56 percent expecting de-growth.

The August three-wheeler data does not include Telangana, as registrations for the category from the state were unavailable when the data was compiled. FADA said the retail data was collated as of September 4 from 1,467 of 1,469 RTOs.